Northfield Man Sentenced to Jail for Role in 2008 Heroin Overdose

A Northfield man will spend 210 days in Rice County Jail for his role in the 2008 heroin overdose death of Jillian Marie Wetzel.

Andrew Bernard Eisenhuth, 28, also received 10 years' probation for purchasing the heroin and delivering it to Wetzel in August 2008. Michael Lee Smith, 27, was sentenced last year for his involvement in Wetzel’s death and spent 270 days in jail.

Eisenhuth pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in February, dropping two third-degree murder charges and a third-degree drug charge.

Smith pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in March 2010. He received a stayed 57-month prison sentence and was placed on 10 years of supervised probation. Smith is required to speak publicly 10 times.

Both he and Eisenhuth must pay more than $13,000 in restitution.

In Rice County District Court on Thursday, Eisenhuth told the courtroom that he was sorry and offered condolences to the Wetzel family.

“Jill was a wonderful person,” Eisenhuth said, fighting back tears. “Her tragic death has made her greatly missed.”

Eisenhuth told Judge Thomas M. Neuville that the only positive from this experience is that he is “no longer a slave to his addiction."

Two months after Wetzel’s death, Smith approached Northfield Police and told officers that he and Eisenhuth had driven to North Minneapolis to purchase heroin and brought some back for Wetzel, according to a criminal complaint filed with the court.

According to the complaint, Smith injected the heroin shortly after purchasing it and lost consciousness, waking up only when Eisenhuth struck him several times. A few hours later, the two dropped off the heroin to Wetzel’s car in exchange for $120, the complaint says.

The next morning, Wetzel, slumped over the toilet in her bathroom, was unresponsive when found by her boyfriend. Near Wetzel’s body, police reportedly found a syringe, spoon and other paraphernalia.  

Eisenhuth told Neuville that he had no knowledge that heroin was purchased for Wetzel.

As part of his conditions of probation, Eisenhuth must spend 240 hours doing community service, pay a $2,000 fine and speak publicly to schools or youth groups once a year about his addiction and experience in the court system.  Should he violate his probation, Eisenhuth would spend at least 48 months in prison.

Eisenhuth told Neuville he hopes he can help save at least one life by talking about his struggles.

“I want you to save that one person … or more,” Neuville said. “Your future won’t be easy … but you’re alive. … Consider this a second opportunity at life.”

Eisenhuth’s attorney, David Hvistendahl, said Eisenhuth has been drug-free since August 2008 and has passed 40 drug tests. While in jail, Eisenhuth will be released to continue an outpatient drug-treatment program that he’s already started. He reports to jail in two weeks and has been credited with serving one day.

Wetzel’s death has been one in a string of drug-related deaths in recent years.

Neuville said Northfield hasn’t come to terms with its drug issues, particularly with heroin.

“It’s time for Northfield to say, ‘We have a problem,’” Neuville said.

Patty Gallivan, speaking on behalf of the Northfield Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use, read a statement to the courtroom before the sentence was announced.

She said Eisenhuth, like any drug addict, is a victim, too. She said she hopes Northfield can embrace him and help him in his recovery.

“Mr. Eisenhuth has a chance to change his life,” Gallivan said. “We hope he chooses to take the opportunity his consequences provide.”